How To Tame Your Tongue
Learning to control one’s tongue is never an easy task. It requires a lot of discipline, edification, and grace. Without these attributes, it most likely to utter whatever comes into one’s head. Nonetheless, if it is a subject matter the Bible deems worthy of discussing, then, it is best we heed to it. The Bible says:
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
James 1:26 NKJV
There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
Proverbs 12:18 NKJV
In as much as the word of God admonishes us to guard our mouth so that we can preserve our life (Proverbs 13: 3), one cannot tame one’s tongue in the power of the flesh. You need God’s divine intervention and grace to enable you to bridle your tongue.
How can you tame your tongue according to the scriptures?
- Understand the power of words:
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Colossians 4:6 NKJV
If there is no power in words, the Bible would not advise us to watch our speech. Hence, words are powerful. No wonder the Bible says life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it will eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21). Every word spoken is a seed. Therefore, be careful how you sow your seeds.
- Ask the Holy Spirit for help: Like I said earlier, you cannot talk uprightly in the power of the flesh. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and He is the one who can help you bridle your tongue. The Spirit of truth will guide you right every time.
- Meditate on scriptures constantly: It is easy to tame your tongue when the scriptures are hidden in your heart. Meditate on scriptures constantly if you want to utter the right words always.
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Psalms 119:11 NKJV
- Keep the right association: The Bible says it all; He that walks with the wise shall be wise, but the companion of fools shall be destroyed. If you want to speak right, you have to move with the right people.
- Set your heart on godly things: If you want to speak right, you have to think right. That is why the Bible teaches us to:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
- Learn to control your anger: Know what ignites your anger, and learn how to contain it. Resist the urge to utter rash words every time you are angry. And try as much as you can to avoid people or things that fuel your anger.
It is possible to tame your tongue and speak the right words. There is grace available if you care to plunge into this grace. Also, understand that this is not a destination but a journey. We have to keep at it to enjoy the rewards therein.
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